A highly talented top-order batsman at Western Province, Ackerman showed his ability to dominate a bowling attack early on, but also developed a reputation for throwing his wicket away when just getting set. A tour of the England with South Africa A, on the back of a good 1995-96 domestic season, saw him mature and he won his Test call-up in the home series against Pakistan in 1997-98. He was given a good run in the side - two Tests against Pakistan were followed by two against Sri Lanka - but he failed to turn potential into runs and was dropped. He remained on the fringes of selection - in 2001 he was drafted into the squad in Zimbabwe - without getting another chance. At the end of the 2002-03 season he moved to Gauteng where he was appointed captain (he had already led Western Province) before surprisingly resigning early in the 2004-05 season. He opted to leave South Africa behind and headed to England as a Kolpak player after being offered the captaincy of Leicestershire. However, is form with the bat suffered and in 2006 he moved back into the ranks as Jeremy Snape took charge and the decision quickly paid off as he smashed over 1800 runs in the Championship, including a career-best 309 not out.
Martin Williamson September 2006

• Solanki and Moore share record stand (Jul 31, 2008)
  
• Trescothick surges with century (Jun 22, 2008)
  
• Cairns squeezes out Nottinghamshire win (Jun 19, 2008)
  
• Benkenstein and Smith hurt Sussex (May 31, 2008)
  
• Sussex hit back after slump (May 30, 2008)
  

View the full list of 70 related articles

Jun 19, 2008 HD Ackerman slams one through the off side © Getty Images

Jun 17, 2008 HD Ackerman drives down the ground © Getty Images

May 26, 2008 Neil Carter is congratulated after bowling HD Ackerman © Getty Images

View the full list of 18 related images